India beat Pakistan 3-1 to stay alive in Azlan Shah Cup

A spirited India notched up a come-from-behind 3-1 win over arch-rivals Pakistan in a must-win match to keep alive their hopes in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament, here today.
India beat Pakistan 3-1 to stay alive in Azlan Shah Cup

A spirited India notched upa come-from-behind 3-1 win over arch-rivals Pakistan in amust-win match to keep alive their hopes in the Sultan AzlanShah Cup hockey tournament, here today.

India were in a spot of bother ahead of the match afterlosing their opening two encounters, and another loss todaywould have virtually shut the door on Michael Nobbs' wards.

But, it was not to be, as India scored through RupinderPal Singh (5th minute), Akashdeep Singh (9th) and MandeepSingh (56th) to seal the issue in their favour after MohammadWaqas gave Pakistan the lead in the fourth minute of the game.

By virtue of today's win, India have moved up in the teamstandings to the fourth position ahead of Pakistan with threepoints from as many games.

It was an enthralling encounter between the two Asiangiants, who adopted a cautious approach in the initial stagesof the match.

Going by the share of ball possession, Pakistan, by far,were the better side on display at least in the opening half.

The Pakistanis put the Indian defence under tremendouspressure in the opening few minutes of the game.

Their efforts produced result immediately when Waqasdeflected in skipper Muhammad Imran's flick after Pakistantried a variation from their first penalty corner.

But the Indians hardly took any time to bounce back asthey pumped in two goals in a span of five minutes to stuntheir neighbours.

Rupinder restored parity for India in the fifth minuteconverting India's only penalty corner of the match with afierce drag-flick which beat Pakistan goal-keeper Imran Buttall ends up.

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